UK Scientists Create a Three-Parent Embryo 201
Troll-Under-D'Bridge writes "The BBC reports that British scientists have manufactured embryos containing genetic material from a man and two women. Under the procedure developed by scientists from Newcastle University, the nuclei from a father's sperm and a mother's egg are transferred into a second woman's egg 'from which the nucleus had been removed, but which retained its mitochondria.' The research, which may 'help mothers with rare genetic disorders have healthy children,' used embryos left over from in-vitro fertilization treatment."
Re:Three parents? Not really. (Score:4, Interesting)
The definition of biological parentage (as opposed to adopted parentage) has always been genetic. Just because the egg cell came from a third party does not make her a parent. She supplied no DNA. I'm sure that one day scientists will mix and match DNA from three human beings, but that is not what this article is about.
but mitochondrial dna has a larger effect then you might think. Specifically metabolism can you imagine two identical twins where one was fat and the other skinny?
Re:Really? (Score:3, Interesting)
I do agree with you - we're allegedly a rational species that can (not does, "can") place ourselves above base instincts and drives. Unfortunately, it's not just biology
One could reasonably argue that manufacturing a child via syringe is literally a part of biology but it has nothing to do with instinct.